Combination index device



2 Sheets -Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

S. F. BAKER. COMBINATION INDEX DEVIGE.

No. 489,599. Patented Jan. 10, 1893.

(No Mo lel.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

s. F. BAKER. COMBINATION INDEX DEVICE.

No. 489,599.- Patented Jan. 10, 1893.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SIDNEY F. BAKER, OF SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA.

COMBINATION INDEX DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 489,599, dated January10, 1893.

Application filed February 18, 1892. $erial No. 421,949. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, SIDNEY F. BAKER, of Santa Barbara, State ofCalifornia, have invented a new and Improved Combination Index Device,of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The object and purpose of this invention are to facilitate and expeditethe ledger work of book-keeping by a quicker and handier mode of findingnames, pages, dates, &c., and to obviate the handling of cumbersome andinconvenient indexes.

It consists of a set of double faced leaves, with flexible joints andhaving a set of alpha betical tabs attached thereto, an upright case orreceptacle for holding said leaves, a base or device for the case tostand upon, a ruler, a perpetual calendar, pen and pencil tray, figuresand rulings, constituting a combination reference index, substantiallyas hereinafter described and pointed outin the claims.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a partof this specification in which similar letters of reference indicatecorresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 represents a view in perspective of a combination referenceindex embodying my invention .(as closed). Fig. 2 a like view of same asopen for use. Fig. 3 a sectional end view. Fig. 4: a partial sectionalend view with lid and one leaf open. Fig. 5 a plan of single leaf withtab, linen joint and rulings. Fig. 6 a perspective view of the rulehaving a back piece to handle it with.

The index consists of a set of separate leaves or tablets, designed tohold one hundred ledger names each. I make use of twenty of thesetablets, but more may be added if desired. They are provided withlettered tabs, attached to and extending above the tops of same, forreference in locating names and to open the tablets. The leaves ortablets are made from heavy white paper, and are capable of bearingtheir own weight on edge and may be ruled for convenience in writing theledger names thereon. They are spaced and cross-ruled upon both sidesinto three columns of four or more lines each,into which the ledger-pagenumbers corresponding with the names thereon are to be entered asledge'r references. The leaf or tablet is severed near its lower margininto two parts, (0) and (c') and these are joined by a strip of thinlinen or similar material (0 making a flexible joint.

The phrase Sundry names printed or written in the upper left hand cornerof each tablet I make use of in connection with my invention as anabbreviating term by which a number af ledger names beginning with thesame letter can be indexed under that respective letter with one entry,thereby saving time, space and labor.

A representsa rectangular box or case having a lid (A), back (A ends (Aand bottom (A The bottom (A is beveled so that the case when set uponthe base may stand inclined backward as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. Thelid is provided with a finger strap (b) to handle it with, and is hingeda short distance from the bottom edge as shown at (a), so as to leave aninclosure or pocket (A to inclose and secure together the lower marginof the index leaves or tablets. It will be noticed that these parts orstubs (0) just fit into this pocket (A which forms the leaves somewhatlike a book, yet allows any leaf to be readily withdrawn and replaced asrequired. The case may be made of paperboard or other light material. Itincloses the index from dust and is detachable from the base so that theindex may be transferred to the safe with the ledger.

The upper part of the case is closed by a detachable cover (B), whichconsists of a flat portion (13), joined to an edge piece (B It isprovided with stops (1)) which fit against the ends (A of the case andis secured in place by the strap or spring clasp (b). This cover forms arule for ruling lines in the ledger, and it may be provided with ameasuring scale as shown in Fig. (6). By removing this detachable cover(B) and letting down the face lid (A), the leaves may be opened at anyletter or place desired by a slight movement with the proper tab andinstantly thrown back into place again by means of the lid and the lefthand, leaving the right hand free to use the pen and handle the ledger.

The base (D). is rectangular in shape and designed to rest fiat upon adesk or other surface and receive or hold the case (A) in an upright orinclined position by placing it in the socket ((Z) and against the backpiece ((l'). The base is also formed with a tray (E) which is convenientfor holding pencils, pens, erasers and other such like articlesconstantly used by book-keepers. On the side of the base opposite tray(E), I arrange a perpetual calendar (F) as follows: Near the outer sideof the base and parallel therewith is a partition (G) which togetherwith the outside (G) forms a longitudinal chamber (G This as well as theside (G) is undercut so as to form dovetail ways for block (II) to slidein and to retain it in position. The block (II) is somewhat shorter thanchamber (G and may be moved back and forth to diiferent positions asrequired. In order to ellect such movement the block may be providedwith a stud (h) projecting through the slot (g) in the slide (G). Uponthe slide (G) is a scale (g) having the numbers (1) to (51) inclusivecorresponding to the number of days in a calendar month. This scale maybe placed or printed upon the material of the side itself or it may beplaced on a strip of paper or other proper material and secured thereonin any convenient way. In a similar manner the days of the week areplaced upon the block ([1). Over the scale of numbers and the days ofthe week is placed a sliding cap (0) having a sight aperture (0'), saidcap is secured in place byits edges adapted to slide in grooves (g and(9 in the partition (G) and side (G') respectively. In setting thecalendar move block (II) until the day of the week on which the monthbegins is directlyopposite figure (l) on the scale, then place thesliding cap (0) immediately over these and the proper day and date willappear through the sight aperture. Of course the slide is moved for eachday.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is,

1. The within described combination reference index, consisting of a setof double faced, flexible jointed leaves, inserted in a pocket A of andin combination with an index case A),standing upon a base (D) in asocket (d) in combination therewith essentially as shown and described.

2. In combination with a base having a longitudinal recess and a caseadapted to be supported therein, said case carrying a series of leavesor pages which are provided on one edge with a flexible strip to whichis secured a strip of similar material to the page or leaf, the oppositeside or edge of the sheet having a tab secured thereto, substantially asshown, whereby said leaf may be retained and turned in the ease, for thepurpose set forth.

3. In combination with a base having a longitudinal recess, a caseadapted to be supported thereby in an inclined position, said casehaving a hinged lid which is adapted to rest upon the base when loweredand provide a support for the index leaves which are carried by andattached to the case, substantially as shown.

4. In an index case the combination of the base having a longitudinalinclined groove or recess, of a case adapted to receive index leaves andbe supported in an inclined position with respect to the base,substantially as shown.

5. In combination with a base constructed substantially as shown, a caseadapted to be maintained in an inclined position thereon, said casehaving a lid which is adapted when opened to lie over the fiat portionof the base and provide a flat surface upon which the leaves of theindex may rest, said leaves being adapt-ed to be retained within thecase and provided with flexible extensions on the lower edge thereof,substantially as shown.

6. An index case (A) having a hinged face lid (A) with finger strap(1)), back (A ends (Afl) bottom (A and pocket (A all as especiallydescribed.

7. An index case having a removable depending portion at its front upperend to which a ruler is secured and a hinged cover for the case, theparts being organized substantially as shown, and for the purpose setforth.

8. A rectangular index case (A), having pocket (A in combination withthe index leaves of two parts flexibly joined. The margin or lower partbeing secured in the pocket (A substantially as described.

9. A rectangular base (D) having socket (d) and back piece ((1'), tray(E) and calendar (F), all substantially as described.

10. In an index case, the combination of a base having an upwardlyprojecting back piece and a raised portion in front of the same, theupwardly projecting parts being of different heights, of a case adaptedto be supported between the raised portions of the base, substantiallyas shown.

11. A rectangular base (D), having socket ((1), tray (E), and calendar(F), composed of block (H), sliding in dovetail ways in the base, saidblock (H) having the days of the week printed thereon and on the baseascale of numbers corresponding to the number of days in the month,substantially as described.

12. The base (D) having the calendar (F) composed of the block (H)sliding in Waysin said base, said block having printed thereon the daysof the week, the side (G') provided with a scale of numberscorresponding to the number of days of the month, and a slide having asight aperture adapted to be moved over the block (H) and side (G') forkeeping dates, all substantially as described.

SIDNEY F. BAKER.

Witnesses:

O. N. BAKER, A. A. GARLAND.

IIO

